Here is an update on my "Madonna of the Blue Scarf." I added some "gold"-flake oil paint to the halo, and then changed the background to increase the contrast between it and the halo. You can judge for yourself if this reads any better. I am actually not entirely satisfied, myself. I tried the "gold"-flake oil paint as a simpler option to the more complicated 3-step technique of applying "gold" leaf. But this doesn't have as much reflective "shine" as I would like, so I may try the "gold" leaf, in 6 months, after this paint dries properly.